1. Scientific Evidence of Origins
Canadian History 30F
Scientific Evidence of Origins

2. Land Bridge Theory
Bering strait is a waterway that separates North America from Russia
It covers a submerged landmass that was above water during the last ice age when most of Canada was covered by a thick ice sheet

3. Land Bridge Theory
Scientists propose that people used this bridge to migrate from Asia
Throughout the next thousands of years these people migrated through the America’s
Archaeology suggests the migrations occurred 25,000-12,000 years ago

4. Radiocarbon Dating
Radiocarbon dating is a way of dating objects found at archaeological sites
Radiocarbon dating has raised questions about the land bridge theory and makes some scientists believe that other migrations may have occurred

5. Monte Verde, Chile
Artifact findings at Monte Verde, Chile appear to pre-date evidence of fist people in North America by about 1,000 years

6. Other Theories
Crossing at the Bering Strait when it was covered with ice
Ocean crossings with landings at various points along either coastlines
Early ocean travelers may have moved from island to island and settled in South America long before Bering migration
The Solutrean theory suggests people may have migrated from Western Europe during the ice age

7. DNA Testing
In 2005 the National Geographic Society launched the Genographic Project
Genographic Project clip 2 mins
Its goal was to map historical human migration patterns based on collecting DNA evidence from hundreds of thousands of ppl from around the world.

8. Genographic Results
The DNA evidence from this group suggests that all human beings descended from Africa starting about 60,000 years ago

9. First Nations Controversy
It is considered a controversy because it challenges traditional creation stories
In some communities, Elders have asked people not to participate.
Some First Nations have been asked to have land claims settled first before participating in the project

10. Evidence of Manitoba’s Past
Lockport has evidence of agricultural settlement along the banks of the Red River
Large storage pits, bison bone tools, ceramic pots, and bits of burnt corn (some artifacts up to 3,000 years old)
This evidence suggests the use of agriculture as well as interaction with First Nation groups further to the south

11. Evidence of Manitoba’s Past
Stott family farm on the Assiniboine River 8 km west of Brandon
Region had been used for years by various bison hunting communities
Duck Bay site has evidence dating back 800 years
Blackduck pottery with clay containers and advance techniques